Hayne pain catalyst but not the whole story
“By and large the board were driven by one agenda only, and that is to make a decision they believe is in the best interest of this club’s future.
“In the media it’s been focused on a head-to-head issue with Jarryd, but that was really just the catalyst for the board that meant it needed to be addressed before the end of the season.
“There were other issues the board needed to consider.”
Hayne is contracted to the club for 2018 but there’s been speculation he will follow Henry out the door.
The sticking point would be a contract worth $1.2 million the Titans and NRL would need to pay out if they were to sack Hayne.
Annesley wants to appoint a head coach by November and said the relationship with players – namely Hayne – would play a big role in the search.
“Jarryd is currently a contracted player and like all contracted players we expect him to perform his contractual obligations. We are hoping to have a new coach in place before the players return in early November, and the management of all of our players will be a big consideration in our search for a new coach.”
A number of senior Titans players have spoken in support of their coach over the past fortnight. Annesley revealed that if the board had made their decision on advice of the playing group, Henry would not have been sacked.
“You’ve got to give the players credit for publicly supporting their coach,” he said.
Titans assistants Terry Matterson and Craig Hodges will take the reins for the remaining two games.